Four months into my job (not counting the two months of internship) and I'm definitely, as cliche and horribly McD as it sounds, loving it.
I love trying out the food I know I'll never be able to afford, going for private previews, events and launches, getting the VIP treatment (most of the time anyway) as well as the different people I've come to know and interact with.
But it is frustrating. To be in a job that I love and can see myself doing for quite a while, but yet, to not quite be in the job.
Pardon the apparent incoherence.
Just to explain myself, and the sentence above, right now, I'm on a "retainer" basis.
To put it simply, I'm one up from being a zero-paid "sai kang" intern but one down from being a fairly paid full-time staff.
I mean, I have a name card and all, as well as the credibility to be able to go on press trips representing the Singapore Women's Weekly (more on this later) but it just isn't the same.
Everyone's been telling, or at least hinting, to me that I'm being exploited. Even the photographer I work with has been taunting me about my lack of concrete status and measly pay every time I meet him on photo shoots.
Well, like I said before, its something very very hard to give up. Despite the pay, I've been gladly hanging in there, scrimping on transport like crazy just so I can pocket the full amount of transport allowance. Thanks to Lili too for accompanying me to events and food-tasting sessions so that she can claim the cab fares.
But yes, I know I know. Something definitely has to be done.
BUT, stubborn as I am, I'm still waiting for something to happen.
It's already past the three month mark and I'm expecting a "pay revision" as stated on the contract. Of course that doesn't necessarily imply a pay raise but I'm being optimistic.
That's the least I can do right now.
Heh.
On to my press trip! My very first one at that.
I'll be heading to Bangkok for a press trip proudly sponsored by the rice people at Golden Phoenix.
Yup. This translates into an itinerary filled with visits to the rice padi fields, rice factory and a cooking class featuring, what else, RICE!
Haha.
I'm not complaining though, especially since everything is fully paid for (except for shopping and lunch on the last day. heh.) and planned.
It also helps that I'll be staying at the 5-star Hotel Intercontinental with a room all to my little self! Haha! It does sound indulgent, but I think I rather stay with someone else. Its a bit too creepy to be sleeping alone in that big ol' room.
My only hesitation is with the people I'll be going with. So far, from what I heard from Ange, there's going to be two other persons, one from NTUC FairPrice and the other from the Straits Times.
I'll be meeting them this Thursday when the PR fella (coincidentally with the same name as my dog. hurhurhur.) hands out the plane tickets over lunch at Thai Express (how awfully apt.).
I'm crossing my fingers, and toes, and praying like crazy that I'll be able to click with them. If not, I foresee quite a dreadful trip.
Another peeve? It's from Friday to Sunday! How dare they eat up my weekend! Initially I thought I could get the Monday off but it turns out I have an event to attend. But its alright. Its the launch of the newly renovated Food Junction at Great World City and the children from Club Rainbow have been invited too. Should be a worthwhile trip out of the house!
Hopefully I'll not fall into the lazy-trap and update more often.
Preferably with pictures, because, at least for me, I find the more interesting blogs are filled with pictures. Haha.
I wanna get a new camera!
(:
Jo, Me, Ange, Lusi, Pris
(Photo Shoot @ Olive Restaurant)
But it is frustrating. To be in a job that I love and can see myself doing for quite a while, but yet, to not quite be in the job.
Pardon the apparent incoherence.
Just to explain myself, and the sentence above, right now, I'm on a "retainer" basis.
To put it simply, I'm one up from being a zero-paid "sai kang" intern but one down from being a fairly paid full-time staff.
I mean, I have a name card and all, as well as the credibility to be able to go on press trips representing the Singapore Women's Weekly (more on this later) but it just isn't the same.
Everyone's been telling, or at least hinting, to me that I'm being exploited. Even the photographer I work with has been taunting me about my lack of concrete status and measly pay every time I meet him on photo shoots.
Well, like I said before, its something very very hard to give up. Despite the pay, I've been gladly hanging in there, scrimping on transport like crazy just so I can pocket the full amount of transport allowance. Thanks to Lili too for accompanying me to events and food-tasting sessions so that she can claim the cab fares.
But yes, I know I know. Something definitely has to be done.
BUT, stubborn as I am, I'm still waiting for something to happen.
It's already past the three month mark and I'm expecting a "pay revision" as stated on the contract. Of course that doesn't necessarily imply a pay raise but I'm being optimistic.
That's the least I can do right now.
Heh.
On to my press trip! My very first one at that.
I'll be heading to Bangkok for a press trip proudly sponsored by the rice people at Golden Phoenix.
Yup. This translates into an itinerary filled with visits to the rice padi fields, rice factory and a cooking class featuring, what else, RICE!
Haha.
I'm not complaining though, especially since everything is fully paid for (except for shopping and lunch on the last day. heh.) and planned.
It also helps that I'll be staying at the 5-star Hotel Intercontinental with a room all to my little self! Haha! It does sound indulgent, but I think I rather stay with someone else. Its a bit too creepy to be sleeping alone in that big ol' room.
My only hesitation is with the people I'll be going with. So far, from what I heard from Ange, there's going to be two other persons, one from NTUC FairPrice and the other from the Straits Times.
I'll be meeting them this Thursday when the PR fella (coincidentally with the same name as my dog. hurhurhur.) hands out the plane tickets over lunch at Thai Express (how awfully apt.).
I'm crossing my fingers, and toes, and praying like crazy that I'll be able to click with them. If not, I foresee quite a dreadful trip.
Another peeve? It's from Friday to Sunday! How dare they eat up my weekend! Initially I thought I could get the Monday off but it turns out I have an event to attend. But its alright. Its the launch of the newly renovated Food Junction at Great World City and the children from Club Rainbow have been invited too. Should be a worthwhile trip out of the house!
Hopefully I'll not fall into the lazy-trap and update more often.
Preferably with pictures, because, at least for me, I find the more interesting blogs are filled with pictures. Haha.
I wanna get a new camera!
(:
Jo, Me, Ange, Lusi, Pris(Photo Shoot @ Olive Restaurant)
1 comment:
hey kat i totally know what you mean! kinda feels like you have no ownership for what you do...and there's not really any point in giving your best since it's not quite permanent? well you're better off cos at least you get to travel! and wear jeans to work!!! have fun in bangkok!!
Post a Comment